Free Bewitching Boots by Jim Lavene, Joyce

when he was ready to retire. Now he used his skills to keep a large group of animals—from elephants and camels to goats and pigs—healthy and happy. He also took care of the Cinderella carriages that visitors used for weddings and to tour the Village.
    “I’ve heard the rumors,” he said with no preliminary. “I hope you’re not paying any attention to them. Chase loves you, Jessie. People are crazy if they think he cares about that Katharina woman. He’s only training her like he is all those others.”
    “Katharina?”
    “Yeah. She goes by one name, like Madonna or Liberace. She probably thinks people will pay more attention to her.”
    I wasn’t sure if her name made any difference, but she had a good seat on her horse. She’d be notorious as the only woman rider. I wished I’d thought of it. I loved the Field of Honor. I thought there was some kind of rule about not having any women there. I didn’t think to ask.
    “You’re not worried, are you?” D’Amos asked.
    “No. Of course not. Chase has to wade through tons of fairies, princesses, and washing women every day. What makes Katharina so special?”
    By this time, eleven of the twelve riders were on the ground. They’d either lost control of their horse or were pushed from the saddle when their lance hit its target. A few were laughing about it. Chase made a quick cut to get rid of eight of them who’d had the hardest time. Those riders left the field in disgrace but could still work as knights.
    Three knights got up and grabbed their horses. Katharina was the only one to hit the target and stay on her horse. She was obvious to spot in the group as she removed her blue breastplate and shook loose her waist-length brown hair. Red highlights glinted in her tresses. I could hear the male sighs around me as they watched her.
    “Oh yeah.” D’Amos wiped his broad forehead with a cloth. “She’s gonna be popular .”
    * * *
    I waited at the side of the Field of Honor while the four knights remaining received a few further instructions from Chase before he let them go to the showers. The show was over. Watchers from the bleachers disappeared, most back to their jobs. A few knaves, squires, and vassals started working on preparing the field ready for the next joust. They had to smooth the dirt and put away the practice dummies. Everything had to be perfect for the King’s Joust which was the last joust of the day.
    Sir Marcus Bishop was coming toward me. He was a handsome young knight with his own Facebook page and a legion of fans that followed him everywhere. He always arrived early to sign autographs and prepare for the joust. He seemed to be in his early twenties. He had a big ego that matched his great skill with the horses—and the ladies—of the Village.
    I decided that he would be a perfect match for Katharina. All I had to do was set them up. That would solve the problem for me with the gossips, and the two of them could be the stars of the show together. Everyone would love it.
    “Lady Jessie.” Marcus bowed deeply, but kept his smiling blue gaze on mine. “You do me honor by attending my joust.”
    “Save it for the women who don’t already hate you,” I said. “I’m waiting for Chase.”
    “Of course you are.”
    “Have you seen the new jousting candidate?” Katharina was already off the field, but I thought I could throw out my first salvo toward their relationship. “She’s a beauty and good with a horse. Perfect for you.”
    “Women don’t belong on the Field of Honor,” he said in a pleasant tone. “Women are perfect to help a man recover from his arduous endeavors at the end of the day. They shouldn’t be knights.”
    So much for that campaign.
    It was doubtful that Katharina would give her favor to a knight who didn’t support her attempt to become a jouster. I wouldn’t.
    “Good day, Lady Jessie.” Marcus smiled and saluted. He hefted his duffle bag and started toward the stables.
    Chase and Katharina were